Shake-ups in Capitol overshadow scandals
In a year with ever-worsen-ing economic news, high-pro-file trials and a horrific finding at a crematory near Noble, the biggest story of 2002 in Georgia was a political system turned upside down by a series of unbelievable upsets.

Democrats' fall shocked many
ATLANTA - It wasn't supposed to be a Republican year in Georgia. Democrats expected strong gains in the Legislature and Congress from the new election maps they admitted they drew for self interest. Experts favored Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes to win a second term.

Changes leave mark on South Carolina
COLUMBIA - It was a year of change in South Carolina, as a former congressman was elected on the promise of new and better leadership and the nation's oldest and longest-serving senator said goodbye to politics.

Business briefs
DALLAS - Kimberly-Clark Corp., the maker of Kleenex and Huggies, says a subsidiary and some of the unit's former executives and directors have agreed to pay $55 million to settle two shareholder lawsuits.

On the move
Lori Mipro was recently appointed administrative director for Medicine Outpatient Services for MCG Health System, a position responsible for overseeing the business functions of the medicine outpatient clinics. She has 21 years of experience in health care management and is a member of the Medical Group Management Association. She earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of New Orleans and is also a Certified Medical Practice Executive in the American College of Medical Practice Executives.

South Carolina hits six-year record in unemployment
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Slower-than-normal hiring around Christmas met an influx of new people seeking work and pushed the state's jobless rate to a six-year high in November, the Employment Security Commission said Friday.

Stocks fall in quiet session
NEW YORK -- Wall Street pulled back Friday in light, uneventful trading. Much of the day's activity was driven by company or industry specific news rather than any broader market trends.

New-home sales in November hit highest level on record
WASHINGTON -- Motivated by some of the lowest mortgage rates seen in decades, home shoppers turned into buyers and propelled new-home sales in November to the highest monthly level on record. New-home sales for all of 2002 are on track for their best-ever year.

Free throws give Auburn win over Clemson
ATLANTA -- Natasha Brackett hit a pair of free throws with 1.8 seconds left as Auburn remained unbeaten with a 60-58 victory over Clemson Friday afternoon in the ACC-SEC shootout.

Clemson downs Liberty
Clemson coach Larry Shyatt said it would have been easy for his team to come in sluggish after beating Cincinnati 58-51 this past Sunday and facing a lightly regarded Liberty.

Leader remains fearless
NEW ORLEANS - The sparkling legacy he built from scratch seems to grow more tarnished by the day. His teams, which for so long seemed invincible, are flirting with mediocrity. And his players have a troubling habit of getting into trouble.

Tire Bowl fans treated to street party, pep rally
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The country descended on the city in a wave of orange, blue and gold Friday as thousands of football fans from Virginia and West Virginia converged for a street party and pep rally.

First-class cabin
When Catherine Walton and Linda Hurst purchased their lake-front cabin in Lincoln County, neither of them could have known that it would be a long-term project.

It's helpful to set goals for self-growth
Dear Readers: Each January retailers take inventory of their merchandise, getting rid of unsold items and restocking depleted goods. Likewise, it is a good time for each of us to take a personal inventory. It is helpful to list accomplishments and character defects, thereby setting goals for character development and spiritual growth.

Home front
LOOK AHEAD
Fans of David Kirk will be happy to hear that the characters from his Miss Spider children's books will be featured in a new line of products at Target. The Sunny Patch line includes garden products for kids, home decor and apparel.

Arts calendar
GET LISTED: Send your event or group's schedule, pricing and other information to Steven Uhles, The Augusta Chronicle

Lynx break out of slump
Before Friday's game against the Columbus Cottonmouths, David Wilkie said he no longer can stomach the thought of losing, and the Augusta Lynx coach drove his point home with a fiery pre-game speech.

Teen's family wants title restored
SAVANNAH, Ga. - The audience held its breath as the principal made the announcement. Who would receive one of the most coveted titles in the Beach High School community?

Company mints version Confederate coins
COLUMBIA - The Confederacy couldn't afford to mass-produce a half-dollar coin, but the four made by hand in New Orleans in 1861 are among some of the rarest ever minted.

Across the Southeast
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -The 19-year-old son of incoming Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was slightly injured in the crash of a small plane Friday.

Wilson home invites same-name visitors
If your name is Tommy, today is your lucky day. The boyhood home of former President Thomas Woodrow Wilson will offer free admission today (Saturday) to anyone with the name, in honor of the 28th president's 146th birthday.

Burglary cases rise for teens
Two teen brothers who face 62 felony counts in a string of burglaries in the Meadowbrook Drive area were back in the custody of juvenile authorities Friday - their third arrest this week.

Dog saves woman from fire
AIKEN - A 68-year-old Aiken woman was awakened and nudged to safety by her dog as a fire began to spread in her house Friday night.

Veterans offer advice on exercise
Susann Deason isn't the only one who benefits from her faithful exercise routine - her students at Aiken Technical College are probably grateful, too.

Family returns estate to glory
AIKEN - Stephen Mueller spent most of Friday morning and afternoon rebricking the front entrance to his Rose Hill estate, one of Aiken's oldest and most historic treasures.

MLK salute
The fifth-grade class of Brookwood Elementary School will perform I Remember Martin Luther King Jr.; a tribute to Dr. King, at 1:45, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Monday. Jan. 15.

Across South Carolina
ORANGEBURG -Deputies have issued warrants for a Charlotte, N.C., man who shot a tourist in a rest area bathroom along Interstate 95 when he refused to give up his wallet, police said.

All in all, politics takes '02
The year began with a cold snap that left the Garden City coated with snow. It ended with heated local elections that changed Augusta's political landscape.

Man looks for rare apples in Southeast
AIKEN - North Carolina resident Tom Brown has been traveling the Southeast for the past three years of his retirement in search of rare apple varieties previously thought extinct.

Seminoles are still dangerous
Bulldogs beware: The Big Easy this ain't.
Just because Florida State seems a little too preoccupied with skipping exams, stealing checks, getting the "FSU rate" at local malls, debating the future of its coach, lamenting the dulling of its luster and dealing with a gambling inquiry doesn't mean the Seminoles should be considered any less dangerous.

Kent: Quotas don't deserve redemption
U.S. SEN. TRENT LOTT'S multiple apologies and vast promises to support affirmative action "across the board" pose a threat to well-settled areas of our law and our culture, even though he has stepped down as Senate majority leader.

Fears ruled tense 2002
Month after month, for all too many Americans, 2002 was the year of living anxiously.\r\n

A rich man indeed
A familiar, and accurate, lament is that youth is wasted on the young. Likewise, riches are quite often squandered on the rich.

Commends Corps for taking action
I commend the Army Corps of Engineers for being responsive to property owners' and business owners' needs around Thurmond Lake. In the past, the Corps' guidelines have totally ignored the fact that many people could be hurt financially and otherwise by falling lake levels.
Jerry Clontz, Aiken, S.C.

Kent: Quotas don't deserve redemption
U.S. SEN. TRENT LOTT'S multiple apologies and vast promises to support affirmative action "across the board" pose a threat to well-settled areas of our law and our culture, even though he has stepped down as Senate majority leader.

Some Christians are pro-choice
Planned Parenthood is a pro-choice organization of thousands of staff and millions of volunteers and supporters - of all religious beliefs - who work to ensure the health and rights of all people.
Mary Beth Pierucci, Augusta

Form the task force
The Columbia County Board of Education has every right to be against change to its structure, but with the legislative delegation getting heat from constituents who seek such change, trustees ought to at least acquiesce to lawmakers' request to form a task force to study the issue.

Viewers at mercy of cable company
Comcast Cable Service is almost a monopoly in the Augusta area. Cable viewers are captive consumers. To increase revenues, Comcast adds a program or two to justify the rate increases. We, the consumer, do not have a choice or vote to either accept (or not accept) the added programs; however, we are obligated to assume a charge because it has been added to the network.
P.C. Santos, Augusta

Front page isn't for football scores
Seems with everything going on in this world, The Augusta Chronicle would have better things to splash on the front page of its Sunday edition than the Georgia football score.
Wayne Cheselka, North Augusta, S.C.

New kind of holy war
It is high time Muslims across the globe declared a holy war - of words and peaceful actions, this time - against the extremists in their midst who are at war against Christians and Jews.

Partisan 9-11 probe?
The national commission to investigate the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks is supposed to shed light on why U.S. intelligence failed to link the dots that might have headed off the tragedy, but so far the panel, which hasn't been fully appointed yet, is generating a lot more heat than light.

State rivalry moves to Omaha
Clemson and South Carolina couldn't show off any College World Series trophies this year, but their fans turned the NCAA tournament into a state rivalry, with the Gamecocks winning the bragging rights this time.

What a Guy!
Former Oakland Raiders punter Ray Guy speaks during the Ray Guy Kicking and Punting Academy clinic at ARC Staduim.

Overtime
Grambling State coach Doug Williams has interviewed for the job at Kentucky.

Year of the Dogs
ATLANTA - Despite the best efforts of Michael Vick and Martha Burk, 2002 will be remembered as the Year of the Dog in this state.

Area sports announcements
Note: Announcements for participatory events must be written, delivered, mailed or faxed to The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta GA, 30903-1928, with a return address and phone number. No phone calls will be accepted. Fax number: (706) 823-3408. The announcements will be published weekly.

Overtime
The Pittsburgh Steelers have often looked like two different teams - so, appropriately enough, they have two most valuable players.

Reeves has team ready
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - It goes without saying that Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves is eager to hear the outcome of New York's game against Philadelphia on Saturday at Giants Stadium.

Kicker feels Eagles' pain
CLEVELAND - Giants Stadium is more than 460 miles east of Cleveland, but Jay Feely could feel David Akers' pain Saturday afternoon.

Group offers concert of cleansing, healing
Tu Tu Devine, Maria Moody, the Augusta Ballet's Jaime Burcham and Sara Benton will join Alvin Franklin and others in a benefit concert for the ArtGro Foundation at 7 p.m. Sunday at Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St.

Faith digest
Civic and faith leaders will offer prayers for the city at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Reynolds St.

Faith and fellowship calendar
The Faith and Fellowship Calendar is a roundup of church and temple-based activities in the Augusta and Aiken area. Space is limited.

God's plan is best for all of us
God wants us to be successful in the New Year, but without pursuing God's goals for our life, we will be drifting in 2003. We will be running in circles. We will be empty, lonely, misdirected, unproductive, unfulfilled and numb.

Handled with care
Martinez veterinarian Mark Brucker has learned that anything could come through the door of his small animal clinic after a holiday.

Emancipation Day features speaker
Joan Parrott will bring the message for the 140th Emancipation Day Celebration at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1223 Laney-Walker Blvd.

FDA to probe if Clonaid broke law
WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration will probe whether a sect claiming to have produced the world's first human clone illegally performed any of the alleged work in the United States, a senior agency official said Friday.

'Black boxes' for humans gain traction
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Data recorders in airplanes, the so-called black boxes, describe what went wrong after a disaster. Now, medical devices are emerging to act like a black box in the human body, except they're being used to prevent disaster.

Balancing religion with a violent game
NEW ORLEANS -- Mark Richt couldn't help himself: After Georgia clinched a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship with an improbable fourth-down touchdown pass, he blurted out his thanks to God.

Dogs unite to achieve team goals
NEW ORLEANS - Georgia's weeklong stay in Louisiana will be part business, preparing for Wednesday's Sugar Bowl, and part celebration, strutting through the Big Easy as Southeastern Conference champions.

Trio leads Georgia to win
ATHENS, Ga. --- Rashad Wright was one of three Georgia players to score 16 points, but he also contributed 10 assists as the Bulldogs defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee 89-69 Saturday.